[Adopted 7-17-1995 by Ord. No. HR-243, which ordinance also repealed Ord. No. HR-47]
This article shall be known and may be cited as the "Tredyffrin Township Cable and Other Telecommunication System Ordinance."
This article regulates cable and other telecommunication service pursuant to the township's power to regulate telephone, telegraph and electric power poles and/or other obstructions erected upon or in the township's streets, roads and/or rights-of-way, exercise the township's general police powers, enforce the Township Code and exercise authority pursuant to the federal and state law.
It is the intent of the township that this article conform to the federal and state law. If a court of competent jurisdiction holds, by its final order, any provision of this article to be in conflict with the federal and state law, the federal and state law will control and this article, only to the extent that any provision is so held to be in conflict with the federal and state law, shall not apply.
This article shall be construed broadly to promote the maintenance of peace, good government and public health, safety and general welfare.
All other township ordinances and regulations are repealed to the extent inconsistent herewith. All franchise agreements between the township and any operator are abrogated to the extent, and only to the extent, inconsistent herewith, except to the extent abrogation is otherwise required or prohibited by prevailing law. Any ordinance or other document authorizing a grant of franchise is otherwise incorporated herein by reference.
For purposes of this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated, unless otherwise expressly stated or the context clearly indicates otherwise. When not inconsistent with the text, words used in the present tense include the future, tense, words in the plural include the singular, and words in the singular include the plural. Unless otherwise expressly stated, words not defined in this section shall be given the meaning set forth in Title 47 of United States Code, 47 U.S.C § 521 et seq., as amended, and, if not defined therein, their common and ordinary meaning.
ACCESS CHANNEL
Any channel or channel capacity designated for noncommercial public, educational and/or governmental use.
AFFILIATE
When used in relation to any person, another person who owns or controls, is owned or controlled by or is under common ownership or control with such person.
ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT
All equipment in a subscriber's home used to receive basic service and/or other tiers of regulated programming service and/or unregulated service. Equipment shall include but not be limited to converter boxes; remote control units; connections for additional television receivers; antennas; other home wiring; and other similar devices or apparatus.
BASIC SERVICE
Any service tier that includes the retransmission of local broadcast signals.
BASIC SERVICE RATE
The rate charged by an operator for basic service, and associated equipment costs.
BOARD
The Tredyffrin Township Board of Supervisors.
CABLE ACT
The Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984, 47 U.S.C. § 521 et seq., as amended from time to time.
CABLE AND OTHER TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICE or SERVICE
The one-way or interactive transmission to subscribers of video, audio, information and/or other programming services.
CABLE AND OTHER TELECOMMUNICATION SYSTEM or SYSTEM
A facility consisting of a set of transmission paths and associated signal generation, reception and control equipment that is designed to provide cable and other telecommunication service to subscribers within the township, but such term does not include:
A. 
A facility that serves only to retransmit the television signals of one or more television signals of one or more television broadcast stations.
B. 
A facility that serves only subscribers in one or more multiple-unit dwellings under common ownership, control or management, unless such facility or facilities use any public right-of-way, including streets or easements.
C. 
A facility of a common carrier or utility, only to the extent that regulation of such common carrier or utility is prohibited by federal or state law.
COMMITTEE
The Tredyffrin Township Cable Advisory Committee, its designee, or any successor governmental entity thereto.
[1]
EDUCATIONAL ACCESS CHANNEL
Any channel on a cable and other telecommunication system designated for noncommercial educational use by the public school system serving the township.
FCC
The Federal Communication Commission, its designee, or any successor governmental entity thereto.
FEDERAL OR STATE LAW
The Federal Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984, as amended by the Cable Television Consumer Protection and Competition Act of 1992 and all regulations promulgated by the FCC thereunder, as any of the foregoing may be amended from time to time. "Federal or state law" further includes any other federal or state statute or regulation, currently or hereinafter in force, under which the township has the authority to control or regulate cable and other telecommunication services or systems.
FRANCHISE
The nonexclusive rights granted in accordance with this article to construct, operate and maintain a cable and other telecommunication system along the public rights-of-way within all or a specified area of the township. No such franchise authorization shall mean nor include any license or permit required for the privilege of transacting and carrying on a business within the township as required by the ordinances and laws of the township or for excavating or performing other work in or along public rights-of-way.
FRANCHISE AREA
The area of the township that the franchisee is authorized to serve by its franchise.
FRANCHISEE
Any person, so defined, who has been granted a franchise by the township.
GOVERNMENTAL ACCESS CHANNEL
Any channel on a cable and other telecommunication system designated for noncommercial local government access use.
GROSS ANNUAL REVENUES
Any and all cash, credits, property or other consideration of any kind or nature, received during a defined twelve-month period, directly or indirectly, by the franchisee, its affiliates or any person in which the franchisee has a financial interest or by any other entity that is an operator of the system arising from, in connection with, attributable to or in any way derived from the provision by the franchisee of cable and other telecommunication service, including the studios and other facilities associated therewith. Gross annual revenues include, but are not limited to, monthly fees charged subscribers for any cable and other telecommunication service, including but not limited to basic, programming, optional, premium, per-channel or per-program service or tier of service; installation, disconnection, reconnection and change-in-service fees, leased channel fees, late fees and administrative fees; fees, payments or other consideration received from programmers for carriage of programming on the system; revenues from converter rentals or sales; studio rental, production equipment and personnel fees; advertising revenues; barter; revenues from program guides; and revenues from home shopping and bank-at-home channels. The township may require that gross annual revenues also includes revenues from the sale or carriage of non-cable and other telecommunication services, including information services. This provision is to be construed in its broadest sense, to include all present and future sources of revenue unless specifically excluded. Gross annual revenue shall be the basis for computing the franchise fee under this article. Gross annual revenue shall not include any sales, service, occupation or other excise tax to the extent that such taxes are charged separately from normal service charges and are remitted by the franchisee directly to the taxing authority. Subscriber-based revenue shall be calculated by determining revenue derived from subscribers within the township. Non-subscriber-based revenue shall be calculated on a pro rata basis (revenue/subscribers times the number of subscribers within the township). All figures used in determining gross annual revenue shall be calculated to the third decimal point.
MANAGER
The Township Manager.
MINIMUM CUSTOMER SERVICE STANDARDS
The minimum customer service standards established by the FCC or otherwise pursuant to federal or state law.
NONCOMMERCIAL
Refers to programming, the primary purpose of which does not propose a sale of a commercial product or service. The term expressly does not refer to programming the cost of which is underwritten by one or more commercial or noncommercial programmers, even where the underwriting is acknowledged as part of the program.
OPERATOR OR OPERATORS
Any person or group of persons who provides cable and other telecommunication service over a cable and other telecommunication system and directly or through one or more affiliates owns a significant interest in such cable and other telecommunication system or who otherwise owns, controls or is responsible for, through any arrangement, the management and/or operation of a cable and other telecommunication system.
PERSON
A domestic or foreign individual, partnership, association, joint-stock company, trust, corporation, joint venture, government entity organization, other legal entity or any lawful successor thereto or transferee thereof.
PROGRAMMING SERVICE TIER
A category of cable and other telecommunication service provided by the franchisee and for which a separate charge is made by the franchisee.
PUBLIC ACCESS CHANNEL
Any channel on a cable and other telecommunication system designated for noncommercial use by the township, township residents or noncommercial organizations within the township and which is available for such use on a nondiscriminatory basis.
PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY
The surface, the air space above the surface and the area below the surface of any public street, highway, lane, path, alley, sidewalk, boulevard, drive, bridge, tunnel, park, parkway, waterway, easement or similar property in which the township now or hereafter holds any property interest which, consistent with the purposes for which it was dedicated, may be used for the purpose of installing and maintaining a cable and other telecommunication system. No reference herein to a public right-of-way shall be deemed to be a representation or guaranty by the township that its interest or other right to control the use of such property is sufficient to permit its use for such purposes and a franchisee shall be deemed to gain only those rights to use as are properly in the township and as the township may have the undisputed right and power to give.
SALE
Any sale, exchange or barter transaction.
STREET
The surface of and the space above or below any public street, public roadway, public highway, public freeway, public lane, public way, public alley, public court, public sidewalk, public boulevard, public parkway, public drive or any public easement or public right-of-way now or hereafter held by the township or in which the township otherwise holds an interest, which shall entitle the franchisee to the use thereof for the purposes of installing over poles which wires, cables, conductors, ducts, conduits, vaults, manholes, amplifiers, appliances, attachments and other property as may be ordinarily necessary and appurtenant to the operation of the system.
SUBSCRIBER
Any person who legally receives cable and other telecommunication service, whether or not a fee is paid for such service.
SYSTEM FACILITIES or FACILITIES
Cable and other telecommunication system equipment and physical plant used by the franchisee to provide service in the franchise area.
TOWNSHIP
The Township of Tredyffrin, Chester County, Pennsylvania, as represented by the Board of Supervisors.
TOWNSHIP CODE
The Township of Tredyffrin Home Rule Charter, ordinances enacted thereto and, where applicable, the Pennsylvania Second Class Township Code.
[2]
TRANSFER
Any transaction in which an ownership or other interest in the franchisee, its cable and other telecommunication system or any person that is an operator of the cable and other telecommunication system is transferred from one person or group of persons to another person or group of persons so that control of the franchisee is transferred; or the rights and/or obligations held by the franchisee under a franchise are transferred or assigned to another person or group of persons. Unless otherwise specified, "control," for these purposes, means working control, in whatever manner exercised. Unless otherwise specified, the addition, deletion or other change of any general partner of the franchisee, any person who owns or controls the franchisees or an operator of the cable and other telecommunication system is such a change of control.
USER
A person utilizing a channel or equipment and facilities for purposes of producing and/or transmitting material, as contrasted with the receipt thereof in the capacity of a subscriber.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Article III, Cable Television Advisory Committee, below.
[2]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 65101 et seq.
The Manager, in conjunction with the advice and assistance of the Committee, shall be responsible for the enforcement of the Board's rate decisions and orders and the minimum customer service standards and the administration of this article, including, without limitation, the broad authority to administer and enforce the following duties pursuant to this article, all of which shall be carried out with the advice and assistance of the Committee.
A. 
To take such action, on behalf of the township, as may, from time to time, be required to obtain and maintain the township's certification and authority to regulate basic service rates and to assure that the township complies with federal or state law.
B. 
To establish and protect the township's right to otherwise regulate cable and other telecommunication systems or service to the fullest extent permitted by federal or state law.
C. 
To provide and give all notices which are required to exercise the township's authority to regulate basic service rates or other regulatory authority.
D. 
To make all required and/or appropriate filings to and communications with the FCC.
E. 
To receive, file and review for completeness all submissions, petitions, applications, requests, comments and other filings required and/or permitted to be made to the township pursuant to federal or state law.
F. 
To receive, record and deposit any fees paid to the township pursuant to this article.
G. 
To establish organize and maintain the township's public records concerning this article.
H. 
To provide the Board with all information necessary for the Supervisors to exercise oversight and control over all proceedings, administrative practices and procedures and enforcement concerning this article and to be aware of all service and rate issues which may require legislative or policy action.
I. 
To enforce the provisions of this article, all Board decisions and township policy.
J. 
To take all actions, conduct all proceedings and enforcement in compliance with federal or state law and the Township Code.
K. 
To apply the regulations of this article so as to maximize the township's regulatory authority, with respect to basic service rates and minimum service standards or other regulatory power, under federal or state law.
A. 
Regulation of basic service rates.
(1) 
Basic service rates shall be subject to the township's regulatory authority under federal or state law. Should the township choose, in its discretion, to exercise such authority, the township shall regulate basic service rates in accordance with the substantive and procedural provisions of the federal or state law and any other applicable law and/or regulation.
(2) 
The township shall make any decision on the reasonableness of current basic service rates and/or proposed rate changes pursuant to the procedural and substantive provisions of the federal or state law and any other applicable law and/or regulation.
(3) 
In making a decision on the reasonableness of current basic service rates or proposed rate changes, the township shall have the authority to compel the production of proprietary information from operators and, when requested to do so in writing by the operator, the township shall protect the confidentiality of such information to the extent required by law.
(4) 
Upon the township's receipt of an operator's schedule of basic service rates or a proposed rate change, the township shall allow reasonable opportunity for the consideration of views of interested parties consistent with, but not limited to, the procedures mandated by the public participation provisions of the Sunshine Act, 65 P.S. § 280.1 et seq., and other applicable statutes ordinances and regulations.
B. 
Duties of operator.
(1) 
Any and all operators which provide cable and other telecommunication service within the township shall provide the township, by delivery to the Township Manager and the Committee, the information and documentation necessary to establish entitlement to any basic service rate schedule and/or requested rate change. All applications for approval of basic service rate schedules and requests for rate changes and all information and documentation provided to the township in support thereof shall comply with and be provided according to the procedures and requirements of the federal or state law and this article.
(2) 
All submissions, petitions, applications and requests and other filings made to the township, pursuant to federal or state law and/or this article, shall be made either via first class mail, postage prepaid, to the township, Attention: Township Manager, or shall be hand-delivered to the Township Manager at the municipal building during regular business hours. A copy shall also be provided for the Committee.
(3) 
Within 30 days of receiving written notification from the township that the township has been certified by the FCC to regulate rates for basic service, an operator shall file its schedule of basic service rates with the township.
(4) 
Operator shall comply with township orders concerning proposed initial rates or proposed rate changes, which shall conform with the requirements of appropriate federal or state law.
(5) 
At least 30 days prior to changing its rates for the basic service and following township approval, an operator shall notify each subscriber of the rate change, including a description of the basis for the change.
(6) 
Beginning on the date an operator files a schedule of rates or a proposed rate change with the township, the operator shall publish a summary of the rates or rate changes in two or more newspapers of general circulation in the township, in each case notifying interested parties that they must submit written comments by a date certain (within 15 days of the operator's filing with the township) to the Manager at the township offices. The required summaries shall give clear and reasonable notice of all new and changed rates.
(7) 
The operator shall pay all fees as may be required by § 88-18 of this article to the township by delivery to the Township Manager.
C. 
Board actions. In rendering its decisions, the Board shall have the full authority granted to the township, pursuant to the federal or state law and the Township Code, to order and compel an operator to take any and all actions as the federal or state law permits, including, without limitation:
(1) 
Requiring an operator to implement a reduction in basic service rates where necessary to bring rates into compliance with the standards set forth in the federal or state law.
(2) 
Prescribing a maximum reasonable rate for the basic service rates after it determines that a proposed rate is unreasonable and requiring the operator to not exceed such rate.
(3) 
Requiring the operator to refund to subscribers that portion of previously paid rates determined to be in excess of the permitted basic service rates, unless the operator has submitted a cost-of-service showing which the Board determines justifies the rate charges as reasonable. Before ordering a refund, however, the township shall give the operator notice and shall give the operator 15 days, from the date such notice is given, to submit written comments to the township. Any such refund order shall be subject to the limitations contained in the federal or state law.
D. 
Penalties. In the event that an operator does not comply with a decision order and/or requirement made by the township pursuant to this article, i.e., a "violation," the township may assess a fine against the operator as required by § 88-18 of this article.
A. 
Federal minimum customer service standards adopted. It is the township's intention to enforce the minimum customer service standards as set forth at 47 CFR 76.309 or, at the township's discretion, such other or additional standards established by franchise agreement, federal or state law or regulation or local ordinance, whether now or hereafter enacted, to the extent that such other customer service standards are not preempted by the federal or state law.
B. 
Enforcement. The Manager, in conjunction with the advice and assistance of the Committee, 90 days after giving notice to the operator of the township's intent to enforce the minimum customer service standards, shall have the authority and responsibility to enforce these standards to the fullest extent permitted by the federal or state law and in accordance with all substantive and procedural requirements of the federal or state law, including, without limitation, the power to:
(1) 
Make any and all such orders and assess any and all such penalties for violations of these standards as are permitted by the federal or state law and the Township Code.
(2) 
Ordering the operator to pay credits or refunds to the subscribers to the operator's system.
(3) 
Filing suit against an operator to compel specific performance and/or enjoin action.
(4) 
Conducting performance evaluations at the time of renewal of the operator's franchise agreement.
(5) 
Imposing penalties equal to those described in § 88-18 of this article, relating to fees and fines or otherwise defined in the grant of franchise.
A. 
A written application shall be filed with the township for grant of an initial franchise, renewal of a franchise or modification of a franchise pursuant to this article. The township may require the applicant to demonstrate in its application compliance with all requirements of this article and all applicable laws.
B. 
To be acceptable for filing, a signed original of the application shall be submitted together with 10 copies. The application must be accompanied by the required application filing fee as set forth in § 88-18 of this article, conform to any applicable request for proposals and contain all required information. All applications shall include the names and addresses of persons authorized to act on behalf of the applicant with respect to the application.
C. 
All applications accepted for filing shall be made available by the township for public inspection.
A. 
A person may apply for an initial franchise by submitting a request for issuance of a request for proposal ("RFP") and requesting an evaluation of the resulting proposal pursuant to this section. Upon receipt of a request for an RFP, and should the township determine that cable and other telecommunication related needs and interests of the community exist, the township shall promptly issue an RFP and proposed franchise terms, which shall be mailed to the person requesting its issuance and made available to any other interested party. The applicant shall respond within the time directed by the township, providing the information and material set forth in this section. The procedures, instructions and requirements set forth in the RFP shall be followed by each applicant as if set forth and required herein. The Township Manager, the Committee or their designee shall be authorized to seek additional information from any applicant and to establish deadlines for the submission of information.
B. 
Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, a person may apply for an initial franchise by submitting an unsolicited proposal, providing the information and material set forth in this section and requesting an evaluation of that proposal pursuant to this section.
C. 
A proposal for the grant of an initial franchise, whether unsolicited or in response to an RFP, shall require at minimum the following information:
(1) 
Name and address of the applicant and identification of the ownership and control of the applicant, including the names and addresses of the 10 persons holding the largest interests in the applicant and affiliates of the applicant and all persons with 5% or more ownership interest in the applicant and its affiliates; the persons who control the applicant and its affiliates; all officers and directors of the applicant and its affiliates; the extent of the ownership interest of each of the aforementioned persons and any other business affiliation and cable and other telecommunication system ownership interest of each named person.
(2) 
A demonstration of the applicant's technical ability to construct and/or operate the proposed cable and other telecommunication system, including identification of key personnel.
(3) 
A demonstration of the applicant's legal qualifications to construct and/or operate the proposed cable and other telecommunication system, including but not limited to a demonstration that the applicant meets following criteria:
(a) 
The applicant must not have submitted an application for an initial or renewal franchise to the township, which was denied on the ground that the applicant failed to propose a system meeting the needs and interests of the community or as to which any challenges to such franchising decision were finally resolved adversely to the applicant within three years preceding the submission of the application.
(b) 
The applicant must not have had any franchise validly revoked by any franchising authority within three years preceding the submission of the application.
(c) 
The applicant must have the necessary authority under Pennsylvania law to operate a cable and other telecommunication system.
(d) 
The applicant must have or show that it is qualified to obtain the necessary federal licenses or waivers required to operate the system proposed. A franchise will not be issued to an applicant that may not hold the franchise as a matter of federal or state law.
(e) 
The applicant shall not be issued a franchise if, at any time during the 10 years preceding the submission of the application, the applicant was convicted of any act or omission of such character that the applicant cannot be relied upon to deal truthfully with the township and the subscribers of the cable and other telecommunication system or to substantially comply with its lawful obligations under applicable law, including obligations under consumer protection laws and laws prohibiting anticompetitive acts, fraud, racketeering or other similar conduct.
(f) 
An applicant shall not be issued a franchise if it files materially misleading information in response to an RFP issued by the township or intentionally withholds information that the applicant lawfully is required to provide. An applicant shall not be issued a franchise if an elected official of the township holds a controlling interest in the applicant or an affiliate of the applicant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the township shall provide an opportunity to an applicant to show that it would be inappropriate to deny it a franchise due to such controlling interest, by virtue of the particular circumstances surrounding the matter and the steps taken by the applicant to cure all harms flowing therefrom, the lack of involvement of the applicant's principals or the remoteness of the matter from the operation of cable and other telecommunication systems.
(4) 
A statement prepared by a duly authorized financial officer regarding the applicant's financial ability to complete the construction and operation of the cable and other telecommunication system proposed.
(5) 
A description of the applicant's prior experience in cable and other telecommunication system ownership, construction and operation and identification of communities in which the applicant or any of its principals have or have had a franchise or license or any interest therein.
(6) 
Identification of the area of the township to be served by the proposed cable and other telecommunication system, including a description of the proposed franchise area's boundaries.
(7) 
A detailed description of the physical facilities proposed.
(8) 
Where applicable, a description of the construction of the proposed system, including an estimate of plant mileage and its location, the proposed construction schedule and a description, where appropriate, of how services will be converted from existing facilities to new facilities and information on the availability of space in conduits, including, where appropriate, an estimate of the cost of any necessary rearrangement of existing facilities.
(9) 
The proposed rate structure, including projected charges for each basic, programming, optional, premium, per-channel or per-program service or tier of service, installation, converters and other equipment or services.
(10) 
A demonstration of how the applicant's proposal will reasonably meet the future cable and other telecommunication related needs and interests of the community, including descriptions of how the proposal will meet the needs described in any recent community needs assessment conducted by or for the township and how the proposal will provide adequate public, educational and governmental access channel capacity, facilities, financial support and program production capability to meet the community's needs and interests.
(11) 
Pro forma financial projections for the proposed franchise term, including a statement of projected income and a schedule of planned capital additions, with all significant assumptions explained in notes or supporting schedules.
(12) 
If an applicant proposes to provide cable and other telecommunication service to an area already served by an existing franchise, the identification of the area where the overbuild would occur, the potential subscriber density in the area that would encompass the overbuild and the ability of the streets to accommodate an additional system.
(13) 
Any other information as may be reasonably necessary to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of this article.
(14) 
An affidavit or declaration of the applicant or authorized officer certifying the truth and accuracy of the information in the application, acknowledging the enforceability of application commitments and certifying that the proposal meets all federal or state law requirements, as well as requirements under this article.
D. 
In evaluating an application for a franchise, the township shall consider, among other things, the following factors:
(1) 
The extent to which the applicant has substantially complied with the applicable law and the material terms of any existing franchise granted by the township.
(2) 
Whether the quality of the applicant's service under any existing franchise in the township, including signal quality, response to customer complaints and billing practices, has been reasonable in light of community needs and interests.
(3) 
Whether the applicant has the financial, technical and legal qualifications to provide cable and other telecommunication service.
(4) 
Whether the applicant's proposal is reasonable to meet the future cable and other telecommunication related needs and interests of the community, taking into account the cost of meeting such needs and interests.
(5) 
Whether, to the extent not considered as part of this section, the applicant will provide adequate public, educational and governmental access channel capacity, facilities or financial support.
(6) 
Whether issuance of a franchise is warranted in the public interest considering the immediate and future affect on the public right-of-way and private property which would be used by the cable and other telecommunication system, including the extent to which installation or maintenance as planned would require replacement of property or involve disruption of property, public services or use of the public rights-of-way; the effect of granting a franchise on the ability of the township to meet the cable and other telecommunication related needs and interests of the community; and, to the extent permissible pursuant to the provisions of federal or state law, the comparative superiority or inferiority of competing proposals.
(7) 
Whether the applicant or an affiliate of the applicant owns or controls any other cable and other telecommunication system in the township or whether grant of the application may eliminate or reduce competition in the delivery of cable and other telecommunication service in the township.
E. 
If the township finds that it is in the public interest to issue a franchise considering the factors set forth above, it shall issue a franchise, effective upon written acceptance of the applicant. If the township denies a franchise, it will issue a written decision explaining why the franchise was denied. Prior to deciding whether to issue or not to issue a franchise, the township may hold one or more public hearings or implement other procedures under which comments from the public on an applicant's proposal may be received. The township also may grant or deny a request for a franchise based on its review of an application without further proceedings. The township may reject any application which is incomplete or fails to respond to an RFP. This article is not intended and shall not be interpreted to grant any applicant or existing franchisee standing to challenge the issuance of a franchise to another.
F. 
If the township grants, renews or modifies a franchise effective upon the written acceptance of the applicant, the applicant shall submit such acceptance within 30 calendar days from the date of the township resolution or ordinance granting, renewing or modifying the franchise. This period may be extended for good cause. If such acceptance is not submitted within 30 calendar days from the date of the township resolution or ordinance granting, renewing or modifying the franchise or if the period is not extended by the township, the franchise grant, renewal or modification will be null and void without action by the township.
Renewal shall be conducted in a manner consistent with section 626 of the Cable Act, 47 U.S.C. § 546. If neither the franchisee nor the township activates or can activate the renewal process set forth in 47 U.S.C. § 546(a) through (c) (including, for example, if the provisions are repealed), the provisions of § 88-11 shall apply and a renewal request shall be treated in the same manner as a request for an initial franchise. The following additional requirements shall apply to all applicants seeking renewal after the effective date of this article where the procedures set forth in 47 U.S.C. § 546(a) through (c) are activated.
A. 
Upon completion of the review and evaluation process set forth in Section 626(a)(1) and (2) of the Cable Act, 47 U.S.C. § 546(a)(1) and (2), should that process be invoked, an operator seeking renewal of the franchise may, on its own initiative or at the request of a franchising authority, submit a proposal for renewal.
B. 
Upon receipt of the proposal for renewal, the township shall publish notice of its receipt and make copies available for review by the public.
C. 
Within four months of the date it receives the proposal for renewal and based on the standards set forth in Section 626(c) of the Cable Act, 47 U.S.C. § 546(c), the township will either:
(1) 
Pass a resolution or ordinance agreeing to renew the franchise, subject to the negotiation of franchise terms mutually satisfactory and agreeable to the township and the franchisee and subject to written acceptance by the franchisee as provided for in § 88-11F of this article; or
(2) 
Pass a resolution that makes a preliminary assessment that the franchise should not be renewed.
D. 
If a preliminary assessment is made that a franchise should not be renewed, at the request of the franchisee, the township will commence a proceeding in accordance with Section 626(c) of the Cable Act, 47 U.S.C. § 546(c), to address the issues set forth in Section 626(c)(1)(A) through (D) of the Cable Act, 47 U.S.C. § 546(c)(1)(A) through (D).
E. 
If renewal of a franchise is denied, the township may acquire ownership of the cable and other telecommunication system or effect a transfer of ownership of the system to another person upon approval of the Board. Any such acquisition or transfer shall be at fair market value, determined on the basis of the cable and other telecommunication system valued as a going concern but with no value allocated to the franchise itself.
F. 
If renewal of a franchise is denied and the township does not purchase the cable and other telecommunication system or approve or effect a transfer of the cable and other telecommunication system to another person, the township may require the former franchisee to remove its facilities and equipment at the former franchisee's expense. If the former franchisee fails to do so within a reasonable period of time, the township may have the removal done at the former franchisee's and/or surety's expense.
G. 
Notwithstanding any other provisions of Subsection A through D of this section, an operator may submit a proposal for the renewal of a franchise pursuant to this subsection at any time and a franchising authority may, after affording the public adequate notice and opportunity for comments, grant or deny such proposal at any time (including after proceedings pursuant to this section have commenced). The provisions of Subsections A through D of this section shall not apply to a decision to grant or deny a proposal under this subsection. The denial of a renewal pursuant to this subsection shall not effect action on a renewal proposal that is submitted in accordance with Subsections A through D.
H. 
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section, any lawful action to revoke an operator's franchise for cause shall not be negated by the subsequent initiation of renewal proceedings by an operator.
An application for modification of a franchise agreement shall include, at minimum, the following information:
A. 
The specific modification requested;
B. 
The justification for the requested modification, including the impact of the requested modification on subscribers and the township and the financial impact on the applicant if the modification is approved or disapproved, demonstrated through, inter alia, submission of financial pro formas;
C. 
A statement whether the modification is sought pursuant to Section 625 of the Cable Act, 47 U.S.C. § 545, and, if so, a demonstration that the requested modification meets the standards set forth in 47 U.S.C. § 545;
D. 
Any other information that the applicant believes is necessary for the township to make an informed determination on the application for modification; and
E. 
An affidavit or declaration of the applicant or authorized officer certifying the truth and accuracy of the information in the application and certifying that the application meets all federal or state law requirements, as well as requirements under this article.
To be acceptable for filing, an application related to grant, renewal or modification of a franchise submitted after the effective date of this article shall be accompanied by a filing fee in the amount stated in § 88-18 of this article enumerating fees and fines.
An applicant shall be notified of any public hearing held in connection with the evaluation of its proposal and shall be given an opportunity to be heard.
The township may grant one or more franchises, and each such franchise shall be awarded in accordance with and subject to the provisions of this article. This article may be amended from time to time; however, no such amendment shall foreclose the franchisee's vested right hereunder to occupy the franchise for its duration except as otherwise provided hereunder.
A. 
No person may construct or operate a cable and other telecommunication system over, on or under public streets in the township without a franchise granted by the township unless otherwise authorized by law.
B. 
Any person who occupies township streets or public rights-of-way for the purpose of operating or constructing a cable and other telecommunication system and who does not hold a valid franchise from the township shall be subject to all provisions of this article, including but not limited to its provisions regarding construction and technical standards and franchise fees. In its discretion, the township at any time may require such person to apply for a franchise within 30 days of receipt of a written notice by the township that a franchise is required and/or require such person to remove its property and restore the area to a satisfactory condition and charge the person the costs therefor. In no event shall a franchise be created unless it is issued by action of the township and subject to the provisions of this article.
A. 
Fines.
(1) 
In the event that an operator does not comply with a decision, order and/or requirement made by the township pursuant to this article, i.e., a violation, the township may assess a fine against the operator as follows: $500 per violation. Each day that a violation continues shall be a separate violation for which a separate fine may be imposed. The operator shall pay all such fines within 30 days. In addition to the fines established hereby, the township may pursue all of the remedies that it has under statute, law and/or equity.
(2) 
Prior to assessing fines for a violation under this section, the township shall provide an operator written notice of such violation and a fifteen-day period in which to cure the violation.
B. 
Filing fees related to application for grant, renewal or modification of a franchise. To be acceptable for filing, an application submitted after the effective date of this article concerning an application for grant, renewal or modification of franchise shall be accompanied by a filing fee in the following amount, as appropriate:
(1) 
For an initial franchise:
(a) 
The request for issuance of an RFP: as set from time to time by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.
(b) 
The request for consideration of an unsolicited proposal/application: as set from time to time by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.
(c) 
Township response to solicited or unsolicited proposal/application: as set from time to time by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.
(2) 
Application for renewal of franchise: as set from time to time by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.
(3) 
Application for modification of a franchise: as set from time to time by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.